Vacuum operated liquid sprinklers



July 25, 1961 0. H611 2,993,649

VACUUM OPERATED LIQUID SPRINKLERS Filed Dec. 12, 1958 3 Sheets- Sheet 1INVENTOR OTTO HOLZ BY/QZZZZCXW ATTORNEY July 25, 1961 o. HC'JLZ VACUUMOPERATED LIQUID SPRINKLERS INKENTOR OTT O HOLZ BY ATTORNEY July 25, 1961o. HOLZ 2,993,649

VACUUM OPERATED LIQUID SPRINKLERS Filed Dec. 12, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR OTTO 0L2 law w ATTORNEY United States Pat ent 2,993,649VA'Q-UUM OPERATED LIQUID SPRINKLERS Otto Holz, Silcherweg 6, Wangen imAllgau, Germany Filed Dec. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 780,077 22 Claims. (Cl.239232) This invention relates to a vacuum operated liquid sprinkler ofthe sort wherein the flow of the liquid through a particular type ofnozzle and jet opening produces a vacuum which is selectively used andreleased to drive the sprinkler nozzle in a moving path. The presentdevice also includes a jet interruptor for striking the water jet as thenozzle moves and selective adjustments to change the direction of throwof the liquid jet for sector irrigation.

Such devices as herein presented have particular application forspraying or watering or irrigating agricultural lands, citrus groves andthe like and this one is especially desirable in that it produces itsown motion selectively for complete circular spraying or for sectorspraying. It can be operated by connecting it to a source of liquidunder pressure, usually water pumped from a Water system. The particularconstruction and manner of operation lends itself to making eachsprinkler in a large size whereby the volume of water dispersed and thearea covered is large. One particular production size can cover an acre.

Generally described, without restriction on the scope of invention, thesprinkler has a sprinkler barrel nozzle which ejects water fedtherethrough and the nozzle is constructed to produce a suction at onepoint internally therein. This suction operates a rubber diaphragm in asealed compartment in a housing which diaphragm in turn pushes a plungerto move a drive frame on which is mounted a pair of pawl shifters anddrive pawls. A bull gear is formed on the base inside the housingholding the nozzle and diaphragm. The drive frame in the housing belowthe compartment has a coil spring in contact therewith which iscompressed when the plunger moves against the drive frame. An air valveis positioned to be contacted by a valve operating member struck by thediaphragm. A pinion gear on the housing is driven by contact with one orthe other of the pawl shifters and the pinion gear meshes with the bullgear on the base to drive the housing about the base. A pair of cammembers connected to a respective pawl in turn are contacted by a camshifter mounted on the housing. The cam shifter is actuated by one of apair of sector setting tabs movable about a ring.

In operation, the suction is repeatedly made and broken to drive thenozzle around the base. First the suction pulls the diaphragm down tomove the plunger which shifts the frame to engage a pawl on the piniongear thereby moving the pinion which moves the entire housing about thebull gear. At the proper moment, the valve is actuated by the diaphragmmovement, releasing the suction and the compressed spring returns thediaphragm to normal whereupon the sequence starts again. Each time thepawl grabs the pinion and it turns the housing on the bull gear. The cammembers are actuated according to the setting of the section tabs toreverse the direction of rotation at the proper point, if desired.

The end of the nozzle is provided with a jet interruptor also operatedby the suction make and break to move a liquid splasher member into thewater stream when the nozzle moves. It employs a diaphragm operated bythe same suction as the main diaphragm.

More particularly, without using patent or patent claim typeterminology, the sprinkler comprises a sprinkler nozzle of barrel-likeconstruction with an internal construction guiding the waterhydraulically to produce a suction 2,993,649 Patented July 25, 1961adjacent the end of the nozzle. A channel or tube connected at one endwith the suction end of the nozzle is connected at the other end, whichis near the sprinkler base, into a housing in which is formed a chamberhaving a large, rubber diaphragm mounted therein normally resting on adiaphragm plate spring pressed by a coil spring upwardly but subject tothe pull of the suction to move downwardly. A plunger is mounted withthe diaphragm plate and it acts with the coil spring against a trip ortrigger member normally held up by a spring pressure air valve leadingfrom the diaphragm chamber to the atmosphere in the compartment below.This valve is used to break the suction on the diaphragm to release itback to up position. A bell crank-like lever pivotally mounted on thehousing has one part contacting the valve and is itself contactual bythe trigger initially braced, or loaded, as the diaphragm movesdownwardly and is held from opening the valve too soon by an interlocknose member also fixed on the diaphragm plate and which holds the valvebell-crank-like lever until the right moment. A rocker arm contacted bythe plunger has a pair of rockers pushing a frame in the lower housingto compress a coil spring against the back housing plate on the downstroke of the plunger. A pair of shifting pawls on the frame eachsupports a shifting cam there below and one or the other of said pawlscontacts at one point of backward motion a drive gear connected to apinion gear which meshes with a large bull gear on the fixed sprinklerbase. A metal ring on the base has a pair of slidable sector settingtabs thereon with protrusions which contact a cam shifter lever which inturn contacts one or the other of the cams thereby shifting isrespective pawl into engagement each time with the drive gear until thecam shifter is contacted again by the other setting tab.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler whichoperates on the suction created by the liquid flow to move the nozzle ina sprinkler path and having setting means thereon to set the particularsector sprinkled for automatic operation.

An additional object resides in the suction arrangement in the nozzlecoupled with the diaphragm member actuating a pawl shifter to move thenozzle in a sprinkler pattern.

A further object is found in the operation of the jet interrupter fromsuction in the nozzle to interrupt the water stream automatically.

Still another object is found in the particular arrangement of pawls andpawl shifters whereby sector spraying is attained automatically aftersetting a tappet lever.

Many other advantages as well as objects and features of my sprinklerwill become apparent from the following description of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the outside of the sprinkler withpart of the base broken away.

FIG. 2 is a central, vertical cross-sectional view of sprinkler in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3in FIG. 2 which is looking into the diaphragm compartment with the coverremoved.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front end elevation view of the sprinkler in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 6--6in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 77in FIG. 6.

Referring first to the outside of the sprinkler shown in FIG. 1, thesprinkler designated generally by the number 10, includes an elongatedsprinkler barrel and nozzle 12 with a nozzle end 14 with knurled cap 16and having formed integrally therewith a jet interruptor identified ingeneral as 18. Jet interruptor 18 has thereon a movable, torpedo-shapedend 20' with a small metal deflector plate 22 with bent end 23 hangingin front of the end of nozzle end 14. The rear end of deflector jetinterruptor 18 has movable thereon a plastic knob 24 for making anadjustment as explained hereinafter.

The bottom of barrel nozzle 12 is formed with a flange 26 matching withan identical, complementary flanged member 28 on the housing 30. Theflange 26 has open bolt depressions or slots 32 to receive the shaft ofa pair of attachment bolts 34 which are permanently mounted by pins 36on the housing to move into and out of engagement in the depressions 32to hold the barrel on the housing 30. Each bolt 34 is provided with anut 38 and a washer 40 to compress the flange 26 against flange 28. Acircular, rubber washer or gasket 42 is provided between the flanges 26,28 to form a tight seal. The top portion of housing 30 is the diaphragmhousing 44 of a sealed diaphragm chamber 46 having a removable cover 48.Diaphragm housing 44 is connected with the internal end of nozzle 12 bya channel 50 formed on the top of the nozzle barrel 12. The bottom ofhousing 30 is formed as the drive mechanism housing 52 in which iscontained the drive mechanism for moving the nozzle 12 in a circularpath. Housing 52 has a removable back cover 54.

Sprinkler nozzle 12 extends at the bottom 55 as a tube and fitsinternally of a circular base member generally marked as 56 which has anave 58. An annular depression 6 0 is formed in the base '56 and hasfitted therein a metal band 62 on which are fitted slidable sectorcontrol tappet levers 64 which can be pivoted out of operation. Thebottom of base 56 is formed with any conventional pipe fitting, such asan internal female threaded 66 fitting for attaching irrigation pipe andthe like.

As readily seen in FIG. 2, the inside of nozzle 12 is formed withbaffles or blades or vanes 68 and tapers at the front end 70 with ringmembers 72 leading by outlet 74 into the channel 50. This formation ofnozzle 12 with vanes 68 and end 70 creates a suction from the liquidbeing moved with velocity therethrough. The suction created acts throughthe channel 50 and in the diaphragm housing 44. Channel 50 connects by ashort passage 76 with the jet interruptor housing 18 and the suctionacts therein, as well. i

Inside the diaphragm housing 44 is mounted and held in place by cap 48 aflexible rubber diaphragm 80* seated over a metal plate 82 on which isattached a plunger 84. Plunger 84 moves in a bearing in the wall betweencompartments 44 and 52 and has confined therewith a coil spring 86interposed between plate 82 and a valve trigger lever 88 having one end90 resting on the housing. Premature and proper tripping by thediaphragm trip 88 is assured by a interlock consisting of a bentmember'92 mounted on plate 80 guided by a grooved plate '94 screwed tothe housing. Formed in the housing 30 between compartments 52 and 44 isa valve mechanism 96 with valve 98 having one end in engagement with'avalve trip actuating lever 100 mounted on housing 30. Lever 100 isL-shaped somewhat like a bell crank with one side in engagement withinterlock lever member 92 and the other end contacting valve 98.According to this arrangement, when diaphragm 80 moves downwardly,trigger 88 will actuate valve 98 to open compartment 44 to theatmosphere which will release the suction on diaphragm 80. Valve 98operates against a spring 102.

The bottom of plunger 84 engages an angle lever 104 mounted on a frame106 having a pair of depending lugs 108 on a shaft 110. Lugs 108 andshaft 110 support a pawl bracket 112 pivotally mounted thereon on theinside thereof and on the outside they support a spring compressionbracket 114. A large coil'spring 116 is interposed between the cupshaped bracket11'4"and the cap 54 of housing 52. Pawl bracket 112supports in the center space thereof a pair of spaced pawls 117 each ona respective shaft 118 and connected by a link 119. Mounted with eachrespective pawl 117, on a respective shaft 118 is a respective cam-120in the bottom of housing 52 supported from the bottom of pawl bracket112. Cams 120 are connected by a looped spring 122. Pawls 117 face eachother with their teeth in opposition across space. Mounted in this spaceon a shaft 124 is a drive gear 126 in alignment with the pawls 117 andon the same shaft 124 is a pinion gear 128 in mesh with a large bullgear 130 formed on the nave 58 of base 56. Pivotally mounted betweencams 120 is a cam shifter 132 with a small coil spring nose 133engageable by one or the other of the tappet levers 64. i

The sealed chamber 134 above diaphragm 80 and a small nozzle 135 in thepassageway 136 determines beforehand, selectively, the relativedifference in air pressure above the diaphragm 80 and below same.Therefore, the size of nozzle 135 is selected to control the velocity ofthe up and down movement of the diaphragm 80. This controls the velocityof the motor as a whole and affects the number of revolutions per minuteof the sprinkler. Air nozzle 135 could be any other valve and could bean adjustable valve for pre-setting.

The jet interruptor is driven by the same make and break" vacuum systemas the nozzle 12 itself. In the housing of the jet interruptor 18 is adiaphragm or bellows 138 which braces a return spring 142 and which issealed in between the two pieces of casing 144 forming the nozzle 18.Attached to a plate 146 backing up the diaphragm 138 is a bifurcatedmember 148 with a spiral pinion 150 attached on one end thereof.Operating in the pinion 150 is a splasher or jet pin 152 havingspiralthreads thereon matching with pinion 150 and being attached to a slidingcross plate 154 confined in the slot of the bifurcation of member 148and locked in the material of casing 144 to prevent pin 152 from turningthe entire casing 144. Pinion 150 matches with pin 152 somewhat in themanner of a push drill so that the linear motion of member 148 istransferred into rotational motion in the pin 152. The jet interruptorplate 22 is attached to pin 152 and rotates'therewith. The returndiaphragm and the force thereon is controlled by the spring140. A pin156 with sleeve 158 in the spring 140 has athreaded end 160 whichreceived the internally threaded knob 24. The turning of knob 24 adjuststhe compression of spring 140 toset and govern the rate of return of thediaphragm 138 thereby adjusting and controlling the rate of oscillationof jet interruptor plate 22.

When the suction is applied through 76 to the diaphragm 138, at the sametime the main diaphragm 80 is subjected to suction, the member 148 ispulled back thereby driving pinion 150 on'pin 152 tomove pin 152 aslight rotational distance'to one side and when the suction isinterrupted by the operation of valve 98, the plate 22 returns to itsinitial position, and so on as long as the sprinkler nozzle is turning.So this action of the interruptor 22 is coupled with the vacuum actionand works in phase with it. Therefore, the jet is interrupted when thesprinkler is rotated and the water jet remains undisturbed when thesprinkler stands still at which time the jet reaches its largest throw.

Operation The overall operation of the sprinkler will now be summed up.It is pointed out that the sector adjustment through tappets 64 and camshifter 132 is an optional setting that can be used or not as desired.It is an additional advantage for spraying only one particular area bylimiting the particular degree of rotation in one direction andreversing thedirection of rotation at a given point.

Starting immediately before the suction has been applied to thediaphragm 80, water, or other liquid,' moving'through nozzle 12 andhydraulicallycontrolled by vanes68 "and ringchannel 70, 72,'produces'a'suc'tion through channel 50 which alfects diaphragm 80 by pullingsame downwardly thereby pushing angle lever 104 to load spring 116.While the air is sucked off, and the diaphragm 80 is pressed down, thetwo lugs 108 are moving backward bracing the spring 116 and causing oneof the pawls 117 in moving backward also to grip the stopping drive gear126 turning it a little. This causes the pinion 128 to drive about themain bull gear 130. The numbers of the teeth are chosen in a way whichalters a little the direction of the sprinkler after every rotation, sothat an even spraying at the circumference is granted after severalrotations.

When the vacuum in the diaphragm chamber 44 has the diaphragm 80 andplate 82 to their lowest position, the valve lever 100 is disengaged andopens immediately the valve 102 by the action of the initial tensionfrom spring 86 through trip 88. Now, air enters the diaphragm chamberthrough valve 102 thereby negativing and neutralizing the suction on thediaphragm 80 which returns to normal subject to the setting in valvenozzle 135. At the moment when the air is sucked oil? the chamber 44,the plunger 84 braces the spring 116 and thereafter turns the entirenozzle as above described. This spring 116 brings the diaphragm 80 backthrough the member 104.

At the same time the diaphragm 80 is actuated, the jet interruptor 22 isstarted in' motion through the same suction. When the air enters throughvalve 102 and into channel 50 it breaks the suction on the jet diaphragm138.

There is, therefore, an automatic, steady, continuous cycle of makingsuction and moving the nozzle a little, then breaking suction, thenre-making suction and again moving the nozzle 12 a little and so forthas long as the sprinkler is operated. Lifting and setting the tappets 64will cause the cam shifter 133 to reverse the pawls 117, therebyproducing sector spraying.

While there is shown and described a detailed sprinkler presenting oneembodiment of this invention this does not constitute any sort oflimitation on this invention since there are other ways the inventionmay be made and there are various alterations, substitutions,eliminations, changes and departures that may be eifected Withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention shown in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a liquid sprinkler of the class described receiving liquid thereinunder pressure and ejecting same therefrom over a large area, asprinkler nozzle through which liquid passes under pressure and havingan open end therein from which the liquid emits, a means formedinternally of said nozzle adjacent the end thereof for creating a vacuumto produce a suction, a diaphragm housing formed on said nozzle normallysealed from the atmosphere, a diaphragm mounted for movement in saidhousing in response to said suction from said vacuum means in saidnozzle, a passage connecting said diaphragm with said vacuum means, avalve in said diaphragm housing openable to admit the atmosphere in saidhousing, a valve contacting means operated by said diaphragm to opensaid valve, means closing said valve upon loss of suction, a drivemember outside said diaphragm housing, a plunger operable by saiddiaphragm to move said drive member, a spring means compressed uponmovement of said drive member, a drive gear on said base, and drivemeans operable between said drive member and said drive gear by and uponmovement of said plunger to move said nozzle about said drive gear, saidvalve contacting means operating said valve to break said suction, saidspring returning said drive means to original position and saiddiaphragm returning to normal to receive suction again upon closing ofsaid valve.

' 2. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklernozzle receiving liquid therethrough and ejecting same therefrom, asprinkler base normally fixed with respect to the ground surface,suction, forming means on said nozzle for creating a suction at oneplace therein, a diaphragm chamber formed on said sprinkler and normallyclosed from the outside, conduit means connecting said chamber with saidsuction means, a diaphragm in said chamber subject to said suction meansto be moved in one direction in said chamber, a drive means between saidnozzle and said base to move said nozzle thereon, a spring pressuremeans on said sprinkler adapted to be loaded in one direction ofmovement, said drive means being operated by movement of said springpressure means upon the release thereof to actuate said drive means,means on said sprinkler for releasing said diaphragm after it has moveda selected amount, and other means actuated by the movement of saiddiaphragm to selectively load and release said spring pressure means.

3. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described a sprinklernozzle for receiving liquid therethrough and ejecting same therefrom, asprinkler base normally fixed with respect to the ground surface,suction forming means on said nozzle for creating a suction at one placetherein, a diaphragm chamber formed on said sprinkler and normallyclosed from the outside, conduit means connecting said chamber with saidsuction means, a diaphragm in said chamber subject to said we tion meansto be moved in one direction in said chamber, a drive member fixed onsaid base, a driven member mounted on said nozzle in engagement withsaid drive member to move thereon in increments, a spring pressure meanson said sprinkler adapted to be loaded in one direction of movementthereof, said driven member being actuated by said spring pressure meansupon the release thereof, means on said sprinkler for releasing saiddiaphragm after it has moved a selected amount, and other means actuatedby said diaphragm during the movement thereof to selectively load andrelease said spring pressure means, whereby said nozzle is driven by themaking and releasing of the suction on said diaphragm.

4. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklernozzle receiving liquid therethrough and ejecting same therefrom, asprinkler base normally fixed with respect to the ground surface,suction forming means on said nozzle for creating a suction at one pointtherein, a suction responsive member mounted on said sprinkler, asuction line connecting said member with said suction created by saidnozzle, means on said sprinkler for breaking said suction on saidsuction responsive member, means actuated by said suction responsivemember after a determined movement thereof to actuate said suctionbreaking means, return means for returning said suction responsivemember to normal when said suction is released, and drive means on saidsprinkler actuated by said suction responsive member each time it movesto drive said nozzle an increment, a splasher member mounted on saidnozzle to splash liquid ejected from the end thereof, a second suctionresponsive member operably connected with said splasher member to drivesame, and a suction line connecting said section suction responsivemember with said suction breaking means so that said second suctionresponsive member is released with said other suction responsive member,and means for returning said second responsive member to normal to beagain subject to suction.

5. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklernozzle for receiving liquid therethrough and ejecting same therefrom, asprinkler base normally fixed with respect to the ground surface,suction forming means on said nozzle for creating a suction at one placetherein, a diaphragm chamber formed on said sprinkler and normallyclosed from the outside, conduit means connecting said chamber with saidsuction means, a diaphragm in said chamber subject to said suction meansto be moved in one direction in said chamber, a spring mounted on saidsprinkler to be compressed and loaded thereon, means actuated by saiddiaphragm movement to compress and load said spring, valve means on saidsprinkler actuated by said diaphragm movement to temporarily break saidsuction releasing said diaphragm back to normal, said valve means beingreturned to normal position after breaking said suction, a powertransfer means connected with and actuated by said spring upon therelease thereof to transfer said spring power, a base gear formed onsaid base in fixed relation thereon, a driving gear mounted on saidnozzle in mesh with said base gear, said transfer means being operatedby and upon the release of said spring to actuate said driving gearthereby driving said gear about said base gear to move said nozzle onsaid base.

6. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed with respect to the ground surface, a nozzle movablymounted on said base for receiving liquid therein and ejecting sametherefrom to disperse the liquid over an area, a normally closeddiaphragm housing formed on said nozzle, a diaphragm mounted formovement in said housing in response to a suction applied thereto,suction means on said nozzle for creating a suction at one placetherein, a suction line connecting said suction means with saiddiaphragm housing, a plunger mounted in said housing and extendingtherefrom, said plunger being actuated by said diaphragm upon movementthereof, said housing having an opening therein to the outside throughwhich said suction may be broken, a closure member movably mounted inand sealing said opening, a trip lever mounted on said housing andengaging said closure member, a trip retaining member mounted foractuation by said diaphragm and engaging said trip lever to preventpremature operation thereof, a valve trip having one end contacting saidhousing and the other end contacting said trip lever, spring meansinterposed between said diaphragm and said valve trip to apply pressureon said valve trip preparatory to opening said closure, and drive meansoperated by said plunger to drive said nozzle on said base, saiddiaphragm driving said nozzle as it moves in response to suction appliedthereto and said trip lever temporarily opening said closure to breaksaid suction after said diaphragm has moved the proper distance.

7. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed with respect to the ground surface, an elongatedsprinkler'nozzle having a sprinkler barrel in communication with aliquid delivered thereto and therethrough, said liquid being emittedfrom the open nozzle end, a suction responsive means mounted in saidchamber and being subject to suction for movement therein, a vacuumsuction means on said nozzle creating suction at a point therein, avacuum suction line connecting said suction responsive means with saidsuction means to expose same to suction, an opening in said chamber incommunication with the outside air and through which said suction may bebroken, a closure member normally closing and sealing said openingthereby causing said suction to affect said suction responsive meansuntil said opening is opened to the outside, a means actuatable by saidsuction responsive means when same has moved a determined amount toactuate said closure thereby opening said opening to break said suction,means returning said closure to normal closed position after saidsuction is broken whereby suction will again apply in said chamber, adriving means on said sprinkler actuated by said suction responsivemeans as said means moves, and a driven means between said nozzle andsaid sprinkler base driven by said driving means to move said nozzle anincrement on said base each time said driving means moves and thenreturns to initial position, whereby said suction responsive means movesin response to the suction and returns to normal again to be subject tosuction and each time moving said nozzle an increment onsaid basetomovesaid liquid in a, path as it is ejected from the nozzle.

sprinkler, a flexible 8. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the classdescribed, a sprinkler base normally fixed on the ground, .an elongatedsprinkler nozzle having a sprinkler barrel in communication with liquiddelivered thereto to eject said liquid therefrom, a diaphragm housingformed on said diaphragm mounted for movement in said housing inresponse to a suction therein, .a diaphragm chamber on one side of saiddiaphragm and a cover covering said other side of said diaphragm, asuction line leading from said nozzle barrel to said diaphragm chamberproviding a passage through which suction may be applied to saiddiaphragm, an opening in said chamber in communication with the outside,a valve means normally closing said opening thereby maintaining saidchamber closed to be subject 'to suction from said suction line, saidvalve means being actuated by said diaphragm movement at a deteminedpoint, means acting on said diaphragm to return said diaphragm to normalwhen released from suction, a frame movably mounted on said nozzleoutside said chamber to be moved in response to the movement of saiddiaphragm, a compression bracket mounted with said frame tobe moved alimited amount thereby, a confined springcontacted by said compressionbracket and being confined on said nozzle to be compressed when saidframe is moved, a pawl member pi-votally mounted with said frame to bemoveda limited amount therewith, a drive gear mounted on said nozzle tobe contacted and turned by said pawl when said frame is returned by saidreleased spring, a pinion gear connected with said drive gear, and abase member gear formed on said base member in mesh with said piniongear whereby said pinion turns said nozzle on said base when said pinionis moved.

9. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed with respect to the ground surface, an elongatedsprinkler nozzle having a sprinkler barrel in communication with aliquid delivered thereto and therethrough, said liquid being emittedfrom the open nozzle end, a vacuum housing on said nozzle having aclosed chamber formed therein, a suction member mounted in said chamberand being flexible for movement therein, a vacuum suction means on saidnozzle creating suction at a point therein, a vacuum suction lineconnecting said chamber with said suction means to expose said suctionmember to suction, a first means mounted with said suction member to bemovedthereby, a housing in said suction housing through which said firstmeans operates beyond said chambenwhile said chamber remains closed, anopening in said chamber in communication with the outside air andthrough which said suction may be broken, a closure member normallyclosing and sealing said opening thereby causing said suction to affectsaid suction member until said opening is opened to the outside, anactuating means actuatable by said suction member when said member hasmoved a determined amount to actuate said closure thereby opening saidopening to break said suction, means returning said closure to normalclosed position after said suction is broken whereby suction will againapply in said chamber, a driving means on said sprinkler actuated bysaid first means as said suction member moves, and a driven meansbetween said nozzle and said sprinkler base driven by said driving meansto move said nozzle an increment on said base each time said suctionmember moves and then returns to initial position, whereby said firstmeans moves in response to the suction and returns to normal again tobesubject to suction and each time moving said nozzle an increment on saidbase to move said liquid in a path as it is ejected from the nozzle.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein there is a splasher member mounted onsaid nozzle to operate in the path of the liquid, a second splashersuction member on said nozzlefor actuating and operating said splashermember, and valve means-operating with saidsuction member to control themaking and release of the suction thereby controlling said splashermember.

11. The device in claim 10, wherein said valve means has a suction linetherewith leading to said drive vacuum chamber so that said vacuum iscontrolled by said closure.

12. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed on the ground, an elongated sprinkler nozzle havinga sprinkler barrel in communication with liquid delivered thereto toeject said liquid therefrom, means on said sprinkler for producingsuction, a diaphragm housing formed on said sprinkler, a flexiblediaphragm mounted for movement in said housing in response to a suctiontherein, a normally closed diaphragm chamber on one side of saiddiaphragm, a suction line leading from said nozzle barrel to saiddiaphragm chamber providing a passage through which suction may beapplied to said diaphragm, a plunger mounted with said diaphragm to bemoved thereby, a plunger housing formed in said diaphragm chamberthrough which said plunger operates with said chamber sealed from theoutside, an opening in said chamber in communication with the outside, aclosure member normally closing said opening thereby maintaining saidchamber closed to be subject to suction from said suction line, a tripmeans interposed between said diaphragm and said closure to actuate saidclosure when said diaphragm moves a certain amount, means acting on saiddiaphragm to return said diaphragm to normal when released from suction,a confined spring actuated by said plunger movement and being confinedon said nozzle to be compressed when said plunger is moved by saiddiaphragm, a pawl member pivotally mounted adjacent said spring to bemoved a limited amount thereby, a drive means mounted on said nozzle tobe contacted and turned by said pawl when said spring is released, adriving member connected with said drive means and means formed on saidbase member in engagement with said driving member whereby said drivingmember turns said nozzle on said base when said plunger is moved.

13. The device claimed in claim 12, a second diaphragm splasher housingformed on said nozzle, a suction line connecting said diaphragm housingwith said suction means on said nozzle, a splasher member movablymounted on said splasher housing and protruding into the path of liquiddelivered from said nozzle end, a splasher pin mounting said splasher onsaid housing and being movable to move said splasher, a drive pinion inengagement with said pin, an actuating member movably mounted on saidhousing to drive said pinion, said actuating member being operated bysaid diaphragm as said diaphragm moves, spring return means engageablewith said diaphragm to return said diaphragm to normal position, andmeans connecting said diaphragm housing with the outside to break saidsuction in said suction line thereby releasing said diaphragm tomovesaid splasher to one position, said suction then operating to move saidsplasher back again, and so on to move said splasher in the path of theliquid.

14. In a splasher element for operation on a vacuum operated sprinkler,a diaphragm splasher housing formed on said nozzle, a suction lineconnecting said diaphragm housing with said suction means on saidnozzle, a splasher member movably mounted on said splasher housing andprotruding into the path of liquid delivered from said nozzle end, asplasher pin mounting said splasher on said housing and being movable tomove said splasher, a drive pinion in engagement with said pin, anactuating member movably mounted on said housing to drive said pinion,said actuating member being operated by said diaphragm as said diaphragmmoves, spring return means engageable with said diaphragm to return saiddiaphragm to normal position, and means connecting said diaphragmhousing with the outside to break said suction in said suction linethereby releasing said diaphragm to move said splasher to one position,said suction then operating to move said splasher back again, and so onto move said splasher in the path of the liquid.

15. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed with respect to the ground surface, an elongatedsprinkler nozzle having a sprinkler barrel in communication with aliquid delivcred thereto and therethrough, said liquid being emittedfrom the open nozzle end, a diaphragm housing on said nozzle having aclosed diaphragm chamber formed therein, a diaphragm mounted in saidchamber and being flexible for movement therein, a vacuum suction meanson said nozzle creating suction at a point therein, a vacuum suctionline connecting said diaphragm chamber with said suction means to exposesaid diaphragm to suetion, a diaphragm member mounted with saiddiaphragm to be moved thereby, a second housing in said diaphragmhousing through which said diaphragm member operates beyond saiddiaphragm chamber, while said chamber remains closed, an opening in saidchamber in communication with the outside air and through which saidsuction may be broken, a closure member normally closing and sealingsaid opening thereby causing said suction to affect said diaphragm untilsaid opening is opened to the outside, a trip means actuatable by saiddiaphragm when said diaphragm has moved a determined amount to actuatesaid closure thereby opening said opening to break said suction, meansreturning said closure to normal closed position after said suction isbro-ken whereby suction will again apply in said chamber, a drivingmeans on said sprinkler actuated by said diaphragm member as saiddiaphragm moves, and a driven means between said nozzle and saidsprinkler base driven by said driving means to move said nozzle anincrement on said base each time said plunger moves and then returns toinitial position, whereby said diaphragm moves in response to thesuction and returns to normal again to be subject to suction and eachtime moving said nozzle an increment on said base to move said liquid ina path as it is ejected from the nozzle.

16. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed on the ground, an elongated sprinkler nozzle havinga sprinkler barrel in communication with liquid delivered thereto toeject said liquid therefrom, suction forming means on said nozzle, adiaphragm housing formed on said sprinkler, a flexible diaphragm mountedfor movement in said housing in response to a suction therein, adiaphragm chamber on one side of said diaphragm and a cover coveringsaid other side of said diaphragm, a suction line leading from saidnozzle, suction means to said diaphragm chamber providing a passagethrough which suction may be applied to said diaphragm, a plungermounted with said diaphragm to be moved thereby, a plunger housingformed in said diaphragm chamber through which said plunger operateswith said chamber sealed from the outside, an opening in said chamber incommunication with the outside, a closure member normally closing saidopening thereby maintaining said chamber closed to be subject to suctionfrom said suction line, a trip lever for said closure member to contactsame and to open the chamber to the outside thereby breaking suctiontherein, a trip member interposed between said diaphragm and said triplever to trip said lever when said diaphragm moves a certain amount,spring means acting on said diaphragm to return said diaphragm to normalwhen released from suction, an angle lever movably mounted on saidnozzle outside said chamber to be contacted and moved by said plunger, acompression bracket mounted with said angle lever to be moved a limitedamount thereby, a spring contacted by said compression bracket and beingconfined on said nozzle to be compressed when said angle lever is moved,a pawl member pivotally mounted with said angle lever to be moved alimited amount therewith, a drive gear mounted on said nozzle to becontacted and turned by said pawl when said angle lever is moved, apinion gear connected with said drive gear, and a gear formed on saidbase member in mesh with said pinion gear whereby said pinion turns saidnozzle on said base when said pinion is moved, said diaphragm beingcontinuously moved and released by the make and break of suction to movesaid nozzle about said base.

17. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, a sprinklerbase normally fixed on the ground, an elongated sprinkler nozzle havinga sprinkler barrel in communication with liquid delivered thereto toeject said liquid therefrom, a diaphragm housing formed on saidsprinkler, a flexible diaphragm mounted for movement in said housing inresponse to a suction therein, a diaphragm chamber on one side of saiddiaphragm, a cover cove-ring said other side of said diaphragm, asuction line leading from said nozzle barrel to said diaphragm chamberproviding a passage through which suction may be applied to saiddiaphragm, an opening in said chamber in communication with the outside,a closure member normally closing said opening thereby maintaining saidchamber closed to be subject to suetion from said suction line, meansoperated by said diaphragm for temporarily actuating said closure tobreak the suction, means acting on said diaphragm to return saiddiaphragm to normal when released from suction, an angle lever movablymounted on said nozzle outside said chamber to be moved by the action ofsaid diaphragm, a compression bracket mounted with said angle lever tobe moved a limited amount thereby, a confined spring contacted by saidcompression bracket and being confined on said nozzle to be compressedwhen said angle lever is moved, a pair of spaced pawl members pivotallymounted with said angle lever to be moved a limited amount therewith, apawl cam connected with each of said pawls to shift same when contacted,a pawl shifter mounted on said nozzle toshift said cam, spring meansinterconnecting said cam members, a connecting member connecting saidpawls, a drive gear mounted on said nozzle to be contacted and turned byone of said pawls when said angle lever is moved, a pinion gearconnected with said drive gear, a gear formed on said base member inmesh with said pinion gear whereby said pinion turns said nozzle on saidbase when said pinion is moved, a pair of cam shifters mounted on saidbase, a circular track on said base on which said cam shifters may bemoved in selective, spaced position whereby said nozzle will traveluntil one cam shifter is reached at which time the direction is reversedto the other pawl which in turn drives until the first cam shifter isreached again and so on in a circular pattern, thereby driving saidnozzle while said liquid is emitted therefrom.

18. The device in claim 17, wherein there is a second diaphragm housingformed on said sprinkler, a suction line connecting said diaphragmhousing with said suction means, a splasher member mounted for movementon said nozzle to operate in the open end thereof to contact the liquidbeing ejected thereby interrupting same, an actuating means movablymounted on said housing to drive said splasher, said actuating memberbeing operated by said diaphragm as said diaphragm moves, return meansengageable with said diaphragm to return said diaphragm to normal, andmeans connecting said diaphragm housing with the outside to break saidsuction in said suction line thereby releasing said diaphragm to movesaid splasher to one position, said suction then operating to move saidsplasher back again, and so on to move said splasher in the path of theliquid.

19. In a sprinkler of the class described receiving a liquid underpressure and ejecting same over an area, a sprinkler base normallystationary with respect to the ground, an elongated nozzle mounted formovement on said base and having an ejection end from which said liquidemits, a diaphragm housing formed on said nozzle normally sealed fromthe atmosphere, a drive housing formed adjacent said diaphragm housing,a vacuum producing means formed in the internal end of said nozzle, aconnection between said vacuum producing means and said diaphragmhousing, a valve in said diaphragm housing leading to the atmosphere, avalve member for opening said valve, a flexible diaphragm mounted insaid diaphragm housing, a plunger mounted in said diaphragm housing andextending into said drive housing, said diaphragm operating said plungerupon movement thereof, a trip lever operable by said diaphragm uponmovement thereof, a valve trip actuating lever mounted in said housing,a valve trip retaining member mounted for actuation by said diaphragm toprevent premature operation of said valve trip actuating lever, saidvalve actuating lever ope-rating said valve member to open said valvewhen said diaphragm reaches the proper limit of travel, a drive frame insaid drive housing having a movable shaft, an angle lever mounted onsaid shaft to be actuated by said plunger, a spring mounted in saiddrive housing compressed by said drive frame upon actuation of saiddiaphragm, a drive pawl mounted on said drive frame and normally out ofengagement, a drive gear adjacent said drive pawl to be contactedthereby upon movement of said diaphragm, and a large gear on said baseabout which said nozzle is driven each time said drive gear is moved bysaid pawl, said suction operating said diaphragm to drive said pawlwhich moves said nozzle about said large gear and said valve beingopened by said diaphragm to break said suction to re-position said pawland spring for repeating said drive when said valve closes and saidsuction again affects saidl diaphragm.

20. The sprinkler claimed in claim 19, a second jet interruptordiaphragm housing formed on said nozzle adjacent said nozzle end, adiaphragm sealed in said housing, a passage connecting said diaphragmoperably with the suction acting on said first drive diaphragm, a jetdeflector plate movably mounted in said housing and extending from saidhousing in front of said nozzle and the stream emitted thereby, a drivemember for said plate, and a driving member for said drive member, saiddriving member being operated by said diaphragm upon suction movementthereof to move said plate in one direction of oscillation and saiddriving member returning to the other posit-ion of oscillation uponbreak of said suction in said main diaphragm housing.

21. In a vacuum operated sprinkler of the class described, which has asuction means thereon, a sprinkler base normally fixed on the ground, anelongated sprinkler nozzle having a sprinkler barrel in communicationwith liquid delivered thereto to eject said liquid therefrom, adiaphragm housing formed on said sprinkler, a flexible diaphragm mountedfor movement in said housing in response to a suction therein, adiaphragm chamber on one side of said diaphragm and a cover coveringsaid other side of said diaphragm, a suction line leading from saidsuction means to said diaphragm chamber providing a passage throughwhich suction may be applied to said diaphragm, a plunger mounted withsaid diaphragm to be moved thereby, a plunger housing formed in saiddiaphragm chamber through which said plunger operates with saiddiaphragm chamber sealed from the outside, an opening in said chamber incommunication with the outside, a closure member normally closing saidopening thereby maintaining said chamber closed to be subject to suctionfrom said suction line, a trip lever for said closure member to contactsame and to open the chamber to the outside thereby breaking suctiontherein, a trip member interposed between said diaphragm and said triplever to trip said lever when said diaphragm moves a certain amount,spring means acting on said diaphragm to return said diaphragm to normalwhen released from suction, an angle lever movably mounted on saidnozzle outside said chamber to be contacted and moved by said plunger, acompression bracket mounted with said angle lever to be moved a limitedamount thereby, a confined spring contacted by said compression bracketand being confined on said nozzle to be compressed when said angle leveris moved, a pair of spaced pawl members pivotally mounted with saidangle lever to be moved a limited amount therewith, a pawl cam connectedwith each of said pawls to shift same when contacted, a pawl shiftermounted on said nozzle to shift said cams, spring means interconnectingsaid cam members, a connecting member connecting said pawls, a drivegear mounted on said nozzle to be contacted and turned by one of saidpawls when said angle lever is moved, a pinion :gear connected with saiddrive gear, a gear formed on said base member and in mesh with saidpinion gear whereby said pinion turns said nozzle on said base when saidpinion is moved, a pair of cam shifters mounted on said base, a circulartrack on said base on which said cam shifters may be moved in selective,spaced position whereby said nozzle will travel until one cam shifter isreached at which time the direction is reversed to the other pawl whichin turn drives until the first cam shifter is reached again and so on ina circular pattern, thereby driving said nozzle while said liquid isemitted therefrom.

22. The device claimed in claim 21, a second diaphragm splasher housingformed on said nozzle, a suction line connecting said diaphragm housingwith said suction means on said nozzle, a splasher member movablymounted on said splasher housing and protruding into the path of liquiddelivered from said nozzle end, a splasher pin mounting said splasher onsaid housing and being movable to move said splasher, a drive pinion inengagement with said pin, an actuating member movably mounted on saidhousing to drive said pinion, said actuating member being operated bysaid diaphragm as said diaphragm moves, spring return means engageablewith said diaphragm to return said diaphragm to normal position, andmeans connecting said diaphragm housing with the outside to break saidsuction in said suction line thereby releasing said diaphragm to movesaid splasher to one position, said suction then operating to move saidsplasher back again, and so on to move said splasher in the path of theliquid.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 461,380Italy Jan. 25, 1951 527,041 Italy May 26, 1955 1,104,744 France Nov. 23,1955

